Dear Therapist: Good Therapy Requires Presence

At the end of the day, our job requires our presence as both a prerequisite and active tool to good therapy. Those who show up in the room with us gain the most out of our relationship to them. 

This morning, I met with a man who wanted to find the "solution" to despair. He had searched AI, watched documentaries, and done extensive research on it when not in session. However, after meeting, he realized that nothing could replace the simple and profound impact of my just "staying with" the feeling of despair. I didn't do the "sit with that" tactic when he labeled the feeling. But I acknowledged that he plainly felt despair. And there was silence, and tears. But also connection and relief from the incessant want to fix. I hadn't "done" anything, or even asked questions... I simply showed up in the room.

Challenge yourselves to show up as just present in your sessions in the following weeks, and see if you notice any shifts in your practice.